Basic info for the day

• Morning - a trip highlight with some awesome snow-covered alpine scenery on the historic Gornergrat cogwheel train up to 3'135m (10'135ft). Enjoy spectacular views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa ridge with its Dufourspitze, the highest peak in Switzerland at 4'634m/15'200 ft.
• Afternoon and evening - at leisure to relax or explore Zermatt on your own (see suggestions below)
• There is no group dinner tonight so you will have an opportunity to enjoy time at one of the many lively restaurants in Zermatt.

Suggestions for an afternoon at leisure in Zermatt

Walk through the old village (Hinterdorf)

See 30 traditional mazot wooden buildings - barns, stores, stables, old houses - all built between 16th and 18th centuries, many set on stone stilts to keep out the rats and mice. The buildings are made of larch wood, rich in resin and resistant to pests. The roofs are heavy stone slabs which compress the timber supports; exposure to the elements darkens the wood and turns it black so more effective at absorbing and storing heat.

Walk of Climb

Follow the 9 bronze markers in memory of the 1st climbers of the Matterhorn of 1865. The markers were set in the paving along the Bahnhofstrasse in 2015 to mark the 150th anniversary of the 1st ascent of the Matterhorn. Two more markers are in honor of the first women climbers of the Matterhorn who climbed it in 1871.

Mountain Guides' Memorial

In memory of the Zermatt mountain guides who lost their lives as they practised their profession; engraved in the stone: (translation) “Mountain guides: victims of their vocation. Here, we lost our lives. Up there, we found life again. On the holy mountain of the Lord.”

St Mauritius Catholic Church with the Mountaineers' Cemetery and Grave of the Unknown Climber

Since 1865 more than 550 climbers have died on the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks - many are buried in the 'Mountaineers Cemetery' surrounding the church.

Matterhorn Museum

Located under the glass dome next to the church - link to Matterhorn Museum

Arranged like a traditional Alpine village with 14 authentic buildings (mazots) that were dismantled and rebuilt, relating the history and development of the area. See how people lived in Zermatt in the 19th century before the arrival of wealthy mountain climbers brought tourism to the town and changed it forever.

Learn about the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 and see relics of the tragic conquest on display as well as the primitive equipment of the early mountaineers.

Opening hours: (Winter) - Fri-Sun 3-6 pm
Free entry with Swiss Travel Pass.

Sunnegga Terrace for a different Matterhorn view

Take a funicular up to the Sunnegga and enjoy refreshments on the sun terrace while watching the skiers swish by.

50% reduction for Swiss Travel Pass holders

And/or simply relax in the hotel's heated pools

For additional info related to today's places and activities, see:

• Monte Rosa Hut
• Matterhorn - Africa's 12th highest peak
• Bravo to the Lady Mountaineers
• Matterhorn - First Ascent Triumph & Tragedy